Sarah Johnson

DIRECTOR

Sarah graduated from Western Michigan University with a BS in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. Her dedication to ABA grew while working as a behavior technician, which led her to pursue her Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. After graduating from Ball State, Sarah became a certified BCBA in 2015. She has worked in the ABA field for over ten years and helped open The Growing Tree in 2018 as their first BCBA. Sarah’s devotion to quality care and compassionate heart led her to be named Director of The Growing Tree in 2020. Sarah adores working with kids of all ages and watching them grow. Sarah’s favorite part about being a BCBA is being creative and thinking outside the box. She is diligent about keeping up to date with the latest ABA programming and treatment information to help make positive changes that work for her clients and their families. In Sarah’s free time, you can find her spending time with her husband Jim, her daughter Elliott, and her son Crew. When she has a free minute to herself, Sarah’s favorite pastimes are drinking coffee and roaming the aisles of Target.

Liz Tucholski

PRACTICE ADMINISTRATOR

Navigating programs and services for Autism, whether seeking a new diagnosis or having just been diagnosed, is often overwhelming for families. Experiencing this personally with her daughter drove her desire to help other families with knowledge, compassion, and a listening ear when pursuing help for their children. Liz received her Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Baker College in 2018 and started her career at The Growing Tree in May 2018. She earned an MBA in Healthcare Management from Western Governors University in July 2022. She works diligently alongside other leadership staff to ensure our clinic operates in a manner that supports each child’s autonomy and dignity and with high regard for ethics. Liz loves spending time with her husband Kris and their three children, Ava, Aubrie, and Easton. Other things that bring her joy are music, traveling, and buying all the supplies for a crafty hobby, then never actually getting around to that crafty hobby.

Kasey Caulkins

Behavior Analyst

Kasey graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from Central Michigan University, where she double majored in Communication Disorders and Psychology. After graduating, Kasey found her love for Applied Behavior Analysis while working as a behavior technician at an ABA clinic in Ann Arbor. She returned to school, earning her Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University. Kasey joined The Growing Tree in February of 2021. She loves working with children of all ages and helping their families. Kasey’s favorite areas of treatment are achieving communication through play, building social skills, and behavior reduction. Kasey is a dedicated mother who spends most of her time outside work, playing with and caring for her two young children, Weston and Wrenley. She also enjoys the beautiful Michigan outdoors.

Lauren Forner

BEHAVIOR ANALYST

Lauren’s zeal for working with children began at a young age after watching her mom’s impact as a special education preschool teacher and her love for being around children. Lauren graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor’s degree in Behavior Science. After working at an ABA clinic for a few months as a behavior technician, she pursued her Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis at WMU. Lauren joined The Growing Tree team in August of 2022. Lauren enjoys working with teen clients and is dedicated to developing their social skills and addressing anxiety by facilitating peer relationships and implementing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. She also enjoys working with our early intervention clients and teaching them in the natural environment to learn through play! Outside of work, Lauren enjoys catching up with friends, swimming, reading, and cuddling with her rescue dog, Vern.

Aubrey Hein MSOT, OTR/L

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Aubrey earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a minor in Biology from Saint Mary’s College of Notre Dame. She then completed her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Western Michigan University. Aubrey has clinical experience in both inpatient and outpatient pediatric care. Aubrey joined The Growing Tree to create the TGT Occupational Therapy Program in April 2022. Aubrey is passionate about helping others, specifically children, reach their goals, whatever those may be, in a way that supports them individually. As an Occupational Therapist, Aubrey helps children increase performance and participation in activities of daily living, fine and gross motor skills, sensory processing, emotional regulation, social skills, play skills, and more! Aubrey enjoys running, hiking, skiing, and traveling. She is elated in spending time with her husband, Hebren, playing with her golden retriever, Luna, and visiting family and friends.

Jenna Herman

LEAD REGISTERED BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Jenna has worked in Applied Behavior Analysis for nine years. She joined The Growing Tree in March 2018 as a Lead Registered Behavior technician. Jenna enjoys working with kids of all ages but feels as if the preteen/teenagers are her forte. Jenna loves to teach her clients in the natural environment and get creative in the garden with them. Her favorite part of working in this field is creating safe, supportive, compassionate relationships. When Jenna isn’t helping train and guide The Growing Tree behavior technicians or providing direct care for our clients, she spends time with her husband, Jake, and her son, Sawyer. Jenna enjoys nurturing her artistic side with her small businesses, where she makes custom earrings, soaps, and body scrubs.

Danielle Cheney

Lead Registered Behavior Technician

Danielle has been working in ABA for three and a half years. After working at a Livonia-based ABA clinic for about a year, Danielle joined The Growing Tree team in April of 2021. In February of 2022, she became a Registered Behavior Technician. Danielle graduated from Eastern Michigan University in April 2023 with her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Danielle loves working with clients of all ages. Her favorite areas of ABA are working on food tolerance and communication with clients. She also assists in developing activities and projects for our teenage social groups and fun-themed summer weeks. In Danielle’s free time, she loves spending time with Finace Jordan and their new baby girl, Rosemira.